Chattanooga man shot in Eastdale

Chattanooga man shot in Eastdale

A 35-year-old Chattanooga man underwent extensive surgery Friday night as doctors tried to treat multiple gunshot wounds he suffered during an attack in Eastdale that evening.

The man was shot in his car while it was parked in front of a home at 1706 Cambridge Drive around 7:30 p.m., Chattanooga police spokesman Officer Nathan Hartwig said.

The assailant fired an assault rifle into the sedan, wounding the man four to five times in the stomach and chest, police say.

The victim's name was not released Friday night and no suspect information was given, though police said they had suspect leads.

Friday's shooting brings the city's shooting tally to nine in the first 13 days of the new year. At this point in 2011, no shootings had yet occurred.

As investigators worked in below-freezing temperatures, neighbors bundled up and stood on the curb to see what was going on.

Raymond Sturgin - who has lived in the neighborhood for over 30 years - said that while the East Chattanooga area has been plagued with drugs and gang violence for years, his neighbors have always worked to keep their streets safe.

"People look out for each other here. Many folks in this neighborhood have been here a long time, and they don't want to see stuff like this," Sturgin said.